The VSCPA has sent a letter to Sens. Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) requesting their support and cosponsorship of Sen. Sherrod Brown’s (D-Ohio) amendment to S 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, that would add accounting to the mathematics definition of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects.

Under the amendment, individuals with advanced degrees in accounting would qualify for the STEM provisions in the bill, notably H-1B visas.

The VSCPA wrote: “While accounting is not traditionally thought of as an industry of innovation, it is upon the back of this industry that we can ensure the flow of capital that is necessary to fuel innovation. The strength of our capital markets depends upon investor confidence, and investor confidence is built upon the knowledge that corporate financial numbers are correct and transparent.”